The Cellar: The Making of a World Class Wine

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalProv Wine Writer

The Cellar: The Making of a World Class Wine

Don Melchor
Most of you are probably familiar with the wines of the Chilean producer Concha y Toro. This famous Estate dates back to 1883 when Don Melchor Concha y Toro and his wife Emiliana Subercaseaux, who had amassed a fortune mining in northern Chile, planted their first vines which they had brought with them from Bordeaux, France. The first Concha y Toro vines were planted in Pirque, a Maipo Valley village situated at the foot of the Andes Mountains just 17 miles from Santiago.

Over the years Concha y Toro has become the largest wine company in all of Latin America producing more than 30 million cases annually – many of which are consistently good, readily available and very reasonably priced. In the other end of the spectrum Concha y Toro also makes a series of premium wines among them a $125 single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which is named after the company’s founder.

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Puente Alto vineyard
The Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is all about expressing a specific terroir − the Puente Alto vineyard. Over the years the 315 acre vineyard has been divided into 7 smaller parcels (6 that grow Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 that grown Cabernet Franc) each of which are vinified separately. It is the responsibility of Enrique Tirado, head winemaker since 1997, to taste and blend the different wines (parcels) together and make the best possible Don Melchor – not an easy task as I would soon find out for myself.

Enrique Tirado
I recently attended a Don Melchor tasting. At the event Enrique had brought with him each of the wines made from the 7 different parcels. It was amazing to taste the different expressions this one vineyard offered – one parcel produced a soft Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe, lush fruit while another was more spicy and higher in alcohol. A third showed amazing tannic structure, while a fourth was slightly green and herbaceous. Fascinating!

The tasting also featured the newest release - the 24th vintage. The 2010 Don Melchor is technically a blend as it has 3% Cabernet Franc in it. Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels (of which 76% were new) this wine is absolutely stunning: soft and elegant with dense and concentrated bright fruit and tannins that will carry this wine for decades.

Any wine merchant that carries Concha y Toro should be able to get you the Don Melchor should you be interested in splurging. If not, try any of the many wines offered by Concha y Toro. I am rarely disappointed with the QPR (Quality-Price Ratio). If you like this nerdy wine stuff you could also consider signing up for a wine tasting at the Providence Wine Academy hosted by yours truly. The first couple of tastings of our 4th season has just been posted. Don’t miss out!

Cheers!

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at [email protected] with any wine-related question or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy.

10 New England Wine Getaways

Newport Vineyards

Newport Vineyards is the perfect Rhode Island destination for wine lovers year round. Visit the winery this weekend for tastings and tours, featuring an array of award winning wines.

909 E Main Road, Middletown, RI. (401) 848-5161.

Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineya

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton is much more than just a winery—it is a place to get away from the stresses of life and indulge your senses, a place to try new things, a place to focus on you. The vineyard is open every day, and invites you to come for a tasting and tour. Try their Petite Red, Vidal Blanc, and many more of their distinctive wines.

162 W Main Road, Little Compton, RI. (401) 635-8486.

Greenvale Vineyards

Visit Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth to sample their estate grown and produced wine, made in small batches. While at the estate, try seven different wines and keep the wine glass for only $12. While you are tasting, take in the gorgeous views of both the vineyard and river. Besides tasting the wines, Greenvale also invites customers to tour the winery and learn about the history and process of winemaking at the vineyard.

582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, RI. (401) 847-3777.

Maugle Sierra Vineyards

For a trip to a vineyard that includes much more than just wine, hop over the border to Ledyard, CT, to check out Maugle Sierra Vineyards. The vineyard hosts live music on Fridays and Sundays to compliment your wine tasting experience. Pack a dinner or light fare and enjoy a tasting session in the Sierra Room while you take in the sunset.

825 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT. (860) 464-2987.

Nickle Creek Vineyards

Nickle Creek Vineyard is a family owned and operated Rhode Island wine treasure. The winery, located in Foster, makes it their mission to handcraft the most unique, high quality wines in the business. All wines are created in small batches, giving them a distinctly unique taste. This weekend, visit their tasting room to try their variety of wines. On your way out, be sure to pick up a bottle of Foster Nights to get you through those chilly New England evenings.

12 King Road, Foster, RI. (401) 369-3694.

Nashoba Valley Winery

Take the bite off the winter chill this weekend and take a drive to Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. The winery hosts tasting events everyday from 10am-4:30pm For $5, receive a free tasting glass and samples of up to five different wines. Some favorites include Strawberry Rhubarb Wine, Holiday Special Cranberry Apple (a new release in November 2013), and New English Cider. If you are in the mood for something other than wine (if that’s possible), check out their beer selection as well!

100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.

Bishop’s Orchards Winery

The wines from Bishop’s Orchards Winery and Farm Market in Guilford, CT, have won over 179 medals since the winery opened in 2005. The tasting room at Bishop’s is open seven days a week year round, so no time is off-limits for wine tasting. Head over on the weekend to enjoy a winery tour pre or post tasting session. While visiting the winery, also be sure to check out the market for fresh baked goodies.

1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT. (203) 453-2338.

Diamond Hill Vineyards

For a cool twist on classic wine labels, look no further than Diamond Hill Vineyard in Cumberland. At Diamond Hill, you can get custom designed wine labels perfect for any occasion. If you’re interested in tasting the wines, visit their elegant tasting room for samples of their high quality wines such as Cranberry Apple, Estate Pinot Noir, or Blackberry.

3145 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI. (401) 333-2751.

Westport Rivers

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Tucked away on the southern coast of Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, located about an hour’s drive from Worcester, is worth the trip. For only $10, you can take home a special edition etched wine glass and enjoy a tasting of up to six of their award-winning wines. While the tasting room is open Monday-Saturday, free winery tours are also offered to the public every Saturday from 1-3pm.

417 Hixbridge Rd, Westport, MA. (508) 636-3423.

Travessia Winery

Found on the southern Massachusetts coast about 30 minutes outside of Providence, is Travessia Winery in New Bedford. This micro-winery puts a twist on traditional wine culture with its cool urban flair. Travessia is open for sales and tastings Wednesday-Sunday, and invites customers to come in and enjoy their unique variety of wines.

760 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA. (774) 929-6534.

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